The Freeman

REV. CHARLES T. WALKER.

The Sketch of an Able Divine who has Risen to Eminence by His own Might-Official Honor Showered Upon Him-Press Comments in His Native Section.

Thirty-eight years ago, about fifteen miles from Augusta, in Richmond county, Georgia, the subject of this sketch first saw the light of God's glorious day. During his boyhood days his tasks were daily performed in fear and trembling. But with the sturdy determination and invincible spirit that characterizes his work now, he moved forward upon his way, looking across the space of years into the bright future soon to come. He received his education in the old Augusta Institute, now known as the Atlanta Baptist Seminary and to the training he received there, he owes much of his success in life.

He was born January 11th, 1858; baptized on the 1st Sabbath in June, 1873; three years later was licensed to preach; and on the first Sabbath in May, 1877, was ordained to carry God's word to unrepentant man. His career since then has been before the eyes of his people, and never have they had cause to regret the step taken. At the time of his ordination he was only nineteen years of age, but he was called immediately to the pastorate of four country churches. Not long was his light allowed to be hid, for he was soon called to the pastorate of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, in Augusta.

At the time Rev. Walker was called to this church it was newly organized being a branch of Central Baptist Church. They had no property, no building in which to worship God. Nothing daunted, however, Rev. Walker went to work under circumstances which cause many men to turn back. Their first meetings were held in a public hall, ordinarily used for festivals, balls, and other like entertainments, but the refining power of God's Holy religion sufficed to cleanse and purify even this place, and the new pastor soon found it out.

Under his energetic and untiring leadership they soon had a magnificent structure erected in which to sing praises to Jehovah. This building is an honor to the race and an ornament to the city. The entire cost was thirteen thousand, five hundred dollars, which was raised and paid in four years time. They have received in four years time over four hundred new members. Now at the age of 32 years he can look back upon thirteen years of successful pastoral life, and through the out pouring of God's divine love and pardoning grace, Rev. Walker has baptized over twelve hundred happy believers.

His work has been very extensive and his travels have been wide. He has traveled over the north in the interest of his church, and while there had the honor of preaching in most of the leading churches. 'Twas after Rev. Walker preached at the Centennial church, that Rev. Justin D. Fuller, D. D., of Brooklyn, N. Y. (author of Rum, Romanism and Rebellion) spoke the following words of him : "My people pronounce him a preacher of more than ordinary ability. His voice is good, his bearing modest and impressive; his language is good, and the aim of his preaching is to glorify God."

His personal popularity is such that invitations are always pouring upon him urgently requesting that he should come and make speeches, deliver lectures or preach sermons. Of course it is impossible for him to accept all of them, but those that he does accept, take him away from Augusta a great deal.

Honors shower thick and fast upon him, as he is officially connected with the leading organizations of his denominations, both state and national. He is president of the Executive Board of the State Baptist Convention, representing 175,000 communicants, Secretary of the Baptist Sunday School Convention of Georgia; Vice President of the Baptist Foreign Mission Convention; a delegate to the National Baptist Convention; a member of the Executive Board of the National Baptist Convention. He was present at the session of the National Baptist Convention; he was present at the session of the National Baptist Convention at St. Louis, Mo, serving on several prominent committees, and has represented his state in each annual session since. The honorary degree of "Doctor of Divinity" was recently conferred upon Rev. Walker by the State University of Kentucky. On this action, the Augusta Chronicle, one of the leading democratic dailies of the south, made the following comment;

"Rev. Charles T. Walker has received from Rev. W. J. Simmons, D. D., president of the Kentucky State University, notice that the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity has been conferred upon him by the University. This is an honor which is merited, and will be worthily worn by Rev. C. T. Walker. He is one of the most respected members of his race, a worthy minister and a good citizen." The Augusta Evening News said: "The first colored man in Augusta to receive the degree of "Doctor of Divinity" is the Rev. Charles T. Walker. This he has just received from the Kentucky State Baptist University, and the notification from Dr. W. J. Simmons, president of the University, is conveyed for the trustees in very flattering terms. And this honor is well bestowed for Rev. C. T. Walker is a worthy minister of his church, a conservative, law abiding and wise leader among the colored people, and a good citizen. We congratulate him on this honor which he will worthily wear."

He is author of the following addresses which have appeared in pamphlet form :

"The needs and responsibilities of the Negro"; delivered at the commencement exercises of the Atlanta Baptist and Spelman Seminaries.

"National Aid to Education" delivered before the Colored Men's Convention of Georgia, Jan., 25th, 1888. This was ordered printed by motion of Bishop H. M. Turner, and a copy sent to each Congressman.

His "Centennial Sermon" delivered in Savannah, Ga., at the Centennial Celebration of the Baptist of Georgia, June, 1888 has had a wide circulation. Also an address delivered at the laying of the corner stone of the new building of the Atlanta Baptist Seminary on the "Educational work of the American Baptist Home Mission Society among the colored people of the south."

It has been the highest ambition of Rev. Walker's life to be an humble successful exponent of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though but a young man, he is a success in his chosen vocation. Eloquent at all times, fiery sometimes, he sways his congregation as he wills. There is an element of personal magnetism about the man that wins all with whom he comes in contact He numbers his friends by the hundreds, for all who have clasped his hand are his friends; all who have sat charmed and entranced, thrilled by the man's wonderful exposition of Bible truths have become admirers.

He is also business manager of the Augusta Weekly Sentinel.